The Velo Orange Camargue has arrived
 

The frame arrived at VO on Friday, I ordered it on Saturday, shipped on Monday, arrived on Thursday, and I had a quick build done by that evening. A few pictures from this morning's ride:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-s...e%2520side.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-y...%2520front.JPG

I'm working up a blog post about this, but so far it looks pretty promising: lots of tire clearance, loads o' braze ons, and I like the "mid trail" geo better than my Cross Check's higher trail front end.

I started a N plus 1 post on this some time ago. http://www.bikeforums.net/touring/91...amargue-n.html

I may have to pick one up as well! The bike looks beautiful and I like its versatility as both a road and offroad tourer.

You can't imagine how much I struggled with the decision on whether to buy one of these. I even sold a couple of other hobby items that I REALLY liked to have the funds but my interests right now have swung back to 100% pavement and skinnier tires. Maybe if these had come in back in January I would have bought one!!! It's pretty much the bike I have now except for the clearance for fatter tires...which was a big deal to me a few months ago.

Is that the 56cm model?

It's the 62cm (55cm seat tube), as big as they come.

I'm not familiar with this bike, is it strictly for touring or is it a hybrid? I ask because the flat bars look like what I've come to associate with off-road gear.

The bike comes as a frame so the B can build it as he or she pleases.

I guess I failed to take into account that those are 29'ers on there!

Louis, the Camargue was specifically designed as an off-road tourer or bikecamping vehicle. It's designed around 50+mm tires, has stout tubing and long chainstays. If you are familiar with the Tour Divide route, that's specifically what the Camargue is designed to handle. Pretty much a modern mountain bike in the style of the late 80's MTB's.

I need to do some more research on wide 700c slicks. I'm starting to consider the Camargue again!

Do you know the tubing specs on the Camargue? I know that VO suggests that you buy the campeur for road touring and the camargue for offroad touring. Still the Camargue would obviously be a fine all round touring bike if you don't mind what I assume is only a little bit of xtra weight.

I don't recall that VO ever mentioned the actual tubing specs but I e-mailed several detailed and specific questions about the Camargue and they provided the info I requested (unlike some companies who seem to think their bike specs are classified Top Secret). You might shoot them an e-mail if you are interested in the bike. I would be really surprised if it was less than .9-.6-.9 tubes and it might even be more stout than that.

Agreed; they're a good company and they respond to e-mails. I'm sorely tempted to pick one up. Heck I even like the color and that's the most important factor in buying a new bike!

What size would you order? I really want to see what the 56cm version looks like.

It's a 9/6/9 x 28.8 top tube on my 62cm--same as my Cross Check. So it's oversized, but nothing like a LHT or Fargo. Given my druthers, I'd rather have 8/5/8, but this tubing spec is probably appropriate for how I will use it.

I asked previously, and the Campeur uses basically the same tubing. It's more road orientated due to the lower bottom bracket (10mm more drop), non sloping top tube, less tire clearance, and kickstand plate--so not a huge difference, in other words.

I'm not sure if the smaller sizes use lighter gauge tubing or not.

Do you know the tubing specs for the LHT? At this point in time I'm more inclined to go the 26" route for a fat-tire bike and LHT is very high on my list of options.

I'm not sure about the spec for the LHT. I know the outer diameter is one step bigger (31.8 vs 28.6), and I assume the wall thickness goes up as well.

Are you still liking the Camargue? My "fast" bike was in the shop for nearly a week and I've been riding an old slapped-together bike with 55mm Big Apples and when I got my bike back from the shop it was like riding in a 19th century wagon. :( The Camargue and it's huge fat-tire clearance is looking more and more appealing. I'm trying to raise some funds just in case I decide to take the plunge.

Well, I've only had it for a few days, but all is well so far. The "mid trail" design handles nicely; it even works well when I'm pulling a trail-a-bike and bike trailer. The frame isn't as spritely as my '83 Trek 620, but it's by no means dead or too stiff--it feels a lot like my CC, and not all like my Fargo, in a good way. It has all the braze ons I could really want, and I'm enjoying the plush ride from my 29er tires. It might be a while before I take these off! The ride may also be made smoother by the long wheelbase--with the wheel slammed all the way rearward as I have it, the chainstays are something like 485mm long.

The only thing bad so far is that it fell against the bike rack at Kroger while I was loading the trailer and got a nice scratch on the head tube :(

I need to fine tune my riding position a bit, maybe flipping the bars back upright and taking out some spacers. VO ships the fork with a 350mm steerer tube, which is nice.

Could you please elaborate on the Camargue versus the Fargo? I'm considering buying one of them for off-road touring and am interested in how the 2 compare. Thanks.

I had the gen 1 Fargo, so this doesn't apply in all respects to the newer models. But here's my $0.02:

Camargue Plusses over Fargo:
- lighter gauge tubing is better when riding unloaded, good enough loaded up (so far, just pulling my bike train)
- lower trail front end makes for handling that is more precise, less floppy
- in general, I like rim brakes better except for mountain biking
- lugged fork is much more attractive than a unicrown
- easily single speedable, though I don't anticipate using this feature anytime soon


Fargo wins over the Camargue:
- 3 more bottle braze ons
- 10mm more bottom bracket drop
- longer head tube means less spacers

I liked my Fargo a lot, and rode it a lot over three years, but I didn't regret selling it as my tastes have evolved. The Camargue addresses my main complaints about the Fargo (too stiff, disc only), while the downsides are pretty minor.

Thanks, seat_boy. That helps.

One last question: What handlebars are pictured on the Camargue? I like 'em, as much as I can judge that from a picture.

On One Marys (flipped over), though I just changed them for a Soma Oxford. The flipped Marys were a bit too low for me, and I like looking down at the polished finish of the Oxford.

I just made a blog post with many more details and pictures of my Velo Orange Camargue here:

Bikes and Playgrounds: Velo Orange Camargue Introduction

Thanks again, seat_boy. I'll read it now.

How is the bike so far? Deciding on the Camargue or the Soma Grand Randonneur for touring. I intend to run Rando bag on front rack and low rider Panniers, and a smaller saddlebag if needed.

I was all set to buy the Soma Grand Randonneur, but saw the Camargue (the off-road capability is VERY tempting). Due to work, I won't be able to do anything crazy like a month, probably anywhere from a weekend to a week, and think maybe the Camargue is overkill..

I consider myself very lucky as I live about 45 minutes from the office in Annapolis. Was there this am as a matter of a fact. Great staff selling great bikes. I got a new free hub from them for my Diagonale rear rim.
The staff are all great that work there and they actually do ride what they sell. Meet the dog in the C/O canal write up on the velo orange blog site. They are really poised to be the east coast equal of Rivendale only a much better price. The stuff they sell is ALL designed in house by local guys. Great company.

Its a capable 29er. Or 650Ber. Taller guys will opt for a 29er build and any one under 5'5" should go for 650B.

There's great flexilibility to build the bike to suit a given height, future riding needs and of course - budget.